Election Commission decides to make public the list of 6.5 million deleted voters in Bihar. The list will be available in a searchable format, and citizens can check their names online or at local offices.
Bihar SIR: The Election Commission has made a historic decision to publicize the names of approximately 6.5 million voters who have been removed from the electoral rolls in Bihar. This step has been taken following an order from the Supreme Court. The court clarified that the Election Commission should publish a complete list of removed voters in every district and explain why the names were deleted. The primary reason behind this is to clarify cases involving death, relocation, or dual registration. The Election Commission has ensured that this list will be made available in a searchable format, so that every citizen can easily check whether their name is retained or removed from the voter list.
Increased controversy over removed voters in Bihar
During the recently concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, the names of millions of voters were removed from the voter list. Subsequently, the opposition has been consistently questioning the reasons behind such a large number being removed from the list. In light of this, the Election Commission, complying with the Supreme Court's directive, has decided to make public the complete list of voters removed throughout the state. The Commission stated that this list will be prepared booth-wise and made available to the general public.
Accessibility and Search Features of the List
The Election Commission has clarified that the list of removed voters will be in a searchable format. This means that any citizen can easily check their name online or by visiting local offices. Additionally, the list will be displayed on the notice boards of the respective Booth Level Officers (BLO) offices.
Voters in rural and urban areas will be able to easily check the status of their names. The Commission also stated that the list will be available at Block Development Offices and Panchayat offices. This will ensure that more and more people can know the correct status of their voter records.
Supreme Court Directives and Process
The Supreme Court had clearly directed the Election Commission to publish the list of removed voters and also state the reasons for removing the names. The court said that this information should include reasons such as death, relocation, or dual registration. The Commission stated that the list will clearly mention that if a person has an objection to their name being removed, they can submit a claim along with a copy of their Aadhaar card. This process ensures the protection of democratic rights and transparency.
Dissemination of Information through Media and Other Channels
The Election Commission has also clarified that newspapers, radio, TV, and other media will be extensively used to convey information about the list of removed voters and the reasons for removing names to the public. The aim is to reach as many people as possible and give them an opportunity to exercise their rights in a timely manner. The Commission has ensured that no voter is deprived of their right to vote due to lack of information.
Citizens' Rights and Claim Procedure
If a person's name has been mistakenly removed or they are dissatisfied with the reason for removal, they can submit a claim according to the prescribed procedure. A copy of the Aadhaar card will be required for this. The Commission has emphasized making this process transparent and easy. This will ensure that voters are aware of their rights and have the opportunity to rectify their situation.
